• ‘Matching numbers’ example of this iconic supercar
• Mechanical rebuild by Corrado Patella
• European registered and ready for use
• Eligible for the Milla Miglia and other world class events

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing needs little introduction. There has never been a time when it was not special or sought after from the day it was first shown to the public in 1954. The list of its technical, cultural and racing achievements is long. Driven by sporting greats, favoured by the jet set of the era, featured in movies and today found in all the greatest motor car collections, the Gullwing is perhaps the most instantly recognizable classic in the world.

This example was completed on 3rd August 1955 and shipped on 25th of the same month to Mercedes-Benz Distributors Inc in New York, one of the German firm’s most prestigious markets. Finished in Fire Engine Red (DB 534) with cream leather upholstery (1060), the car was subsequently owned by Roy V Pogue in Folsom, California, Michael J Hoskins in Fairfield, CA, John W Fritsch of Libertyville, Illinois and Denny Dow of Dearborn Heights, Michigan before acquisition by the current Italian collector in the 2000s. Mr Dow reported the mileage as 18,700 (probably 118,700) and confirmed the car was still painted its original red. The current owner has had a €60,000 mechanical rebuild carried out by Corrado Patella (Dino Cognolato’s main sub-contractor) which included the complete engine, the injection pump (with new injectors), suspension and brakes and checking the gearbox. The coachwork was stripped to bare metal and repainted it in the correct colour, whilst the patinated black leather upholstery was kept. The electrical system was also gone through completely. Restorer Luigino Tommasin of Quality Cars, a former Cognolato employee who has worked on most of the cars in the collection, reports that the Gullwing “goes like a fighter ‘plane”.

Ready for use, this Gullwing is distinctive in its original Fire Engine Red, has been well cared for and is one of the most useable and widely respected classic cars any collector could aspire to own.